When teenager Winston Duncan was 10 years old, he and his family took a trip to Africa. What started out as a vacation turned into the inspiration for a wonderful way to help the poor African people Winston saw on his trip…..

During his trip, Winston saw a boy and an elderly woman walking down a road. They both looked very tired, and the woman appeared to be in bad health. Seeing this pair reminded Winston of himself and his grandmother, who was sick herself and needed medicine to help. He imagined that the pair were walking a great distance to get the woman medicine she needed, and this gave him an idea. Winston wanted to help the poor people of Africa find a better way to get where they needed to go. So he decided that he would collect old bikes and send them to the African people who needed them most. Thus, Winston’s organization – Wheels to Africa – was born.Today, Wheels to Africa has collected and sent over 3,500 bikes to Africa, bringing help and hope in a place it is needed most!

In this video, Winston and his mother describe what Wheels to Africa is all about.

Additional Resources:

Here’s an article about a volunteer’s amazing experience with Wheels to Africa!

Here’s another IMK post about a man who brings bikes to underprivileged kids!

Topics for Discussion:

How do Winston’s bikes make the lives of the poor African people better?

What would it be like if you had to walk everywhere you went? How much more difficult would your daily life be?

Take Action:

Winston saw a need, and he found a way to help fill it. What need do you see that you might be able to help fill?

Visit the Wheels to Africa website to learn how you can help with this worthy cause!

Teacher Features:

Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for elementary school students.

Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for middle school students.